How to Mitigate Drought Impact on Your Farm

With good drought plans and conservation systems, farmers and ranchers are better equipped to manage dry and other extreme weather.

"Without a plan in place, you’re left crossing your fingers for rain. Farmers and ranchers may suffer some loss, but their loss is greatly minimized," NRCS National Agronomist Norm Widman said.

Before extreme weather occurs – be it drought, flood, hot, cold – farmers and ranchers should consider what they could be doing to buffer or mitigate the effects, he added.

The NRCS hydrologists are predicting continued drought for the western part of the nation and other states may also be facing dry conditions. However, even if your area is not affected by drought, it is still important to have a plan.

Cropland:

For crops that take supplemental nitrogen – scale back nitrogen to expected yield

If rain isn’t expected, inject fertilizer so it comes into contact with more soil moisture

Rangeland:

Have a drought plan in place and follow it

Don’t overgraze

Find alternative feeds and forages

Improve water resources

Cull herds

"The farmers and ranchers who are most resilient to drought are those who plan for it – providing them with more options and more flexibility during extreme weather," Larsen said.

When creating a drought plan, you should consider the kinds and conditions of all your resources, and consider how crops, forage and other resources have reacted to drought in the past.

"Planning for extreme weather is essential for farmers and ranchers and NRCS is here to help. We provide the technical and financial assistance to develop healthy soils which mitigate extreme weather effects," Widman said.

NRCS provides information on land, water and crop management options for drought plans. New drought information is provided each Monday at www.nrcs.usda.gov